National Archives awards $2.19M contract for museum design services to C & G Partners LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,187,611 ($2.2M)

Contractor: C & G Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2023-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,116 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A1 MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER FINAL DESIGN AND WAYFINDING DESIGN

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10003

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $2.2 million to C & G PARTNERS LLC for work described as: A1 MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER FINAL DESIGN AND WAYFINDING DESIGN Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in the museum's aesthetic and functional presentation. 2. Limited competition for graphic design services may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs. 3. The fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty but shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The project duration of nearly three years suggests a complex and comprehensive design process. 5. The contract is categorized under Graphic Design Services, a niche within professional services. 6. The award to a single vendor warrants scrutiny regarding the justification for limited competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking graphic design services is challenging due to the highly subjective nature of the work and variable project scopes. However, the $2.19 million award for a museum and learning center's final design and wayfinding suggests a substantial project. Without comparable contracts for similar-scale museum design projects, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the agency, but the absence of competitive bidding raises questions about whether the price reflects the best possible market rate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The justification for this approach is not provided in the available data. Sole-source awards can be appropriate when a specific vendor possesses unique qualifications or capabilities essential for the project. However, they limit the opportunity for price competition and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the benefit of a lower price that could have been achieved through a bidding process. This also limits transparency in how public funds are being allocated for design services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are visitors to the National Archives museum and learning center, who will experience an improved and more intuitive environment. The contract will deliver final design and wayfinding services, enhancing the visitor experience and accessibility. The geographic impact is localized to New York, where the design firm C & G Partners LLC is based, and the National Archives facility. The contract supports specialized design professionals, contributing to the creative services sector workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for a significant contract value.
Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award.
Limited transparency on the justification for sole-sourcing.
Long contract duration could introduce scope creep risks if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Award to a firm with presumed expertise in graphic design.
Clear deliverables (final design and wayfinding) are defined.
Contract duration aligns with the complexity of museum design.

Sector Analysis

The graphic design services sector is diverse, encompassing branding, digital design, and physical space design. This contract falls into the latter, specifically for cultural institutions. The market for high-end museum design can be specialized, with a limited number of firms possessing the requisite experience and portfolio. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed project scopes, but large-scale cultural projects often involve significant design investments. The National Archives' spending aligns with typical investments for major public-facing institutions seeking to enhance visitor engagement.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. The award to C & G Partners LLC, a single entity, does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides. Further investigation would be needed to determine if C & G Partners LLC itself is a small business or if they intend to subcontract any portion of the work to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). As a purchase order, it is subject to internal procurement regulations and financial controls. The fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some performance risk to the contractor, but NARA's program managers will be responsible for monitoring progress, ensuring deliverables meet requirements, and approving payments. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award; public reporting on the justification and performance would enhance accountability.

Related Government Programs

National Archives Museum Renovations
Federal Wayfinding and Signage Contracts
Government Graphic Design Services
Cultural Institution Design Projects

Risk Flags

Sole-source award justification
Potential for overpricing due to lack of competition
Long contract duration requires diligent oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $2.2 million to C & G PARTNERS LLC. A1 MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER FINAL DESIGN AND WAYFINDING DESIGN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is C & G PARTNERS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-10. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific expertise of C & G Partners LLC in museum and learning center design?

C & G Partners LLC is a design firm specializing in branding, exhibition design, and digital experiences. Their portfolio includes work for cultural institutions, museums, and educational organizations. For this specific contract, their expertise is expected to cover the final design and wayfinding elements crucial for a museum and learning center. The National Archives likely selected them based on a demonstrated track record of successful projects in similar environments, suggesting they possess the necessary creative vision, technical skills, and understanding of visitor engagement required for such a complex undertaking. Their past work would be the primary indicator of their suitability and expected performance.

How does the $2.19 million cost compare to similar museum design contracts?

Directly comparing the $2.19 million cost to similar museum design contracts is challenging without access to detailed project scopes, deliverables, and contract types for comparable projects. Museum design costs can vary significantly based on the size of the facility, the complexity of the exhibits, the extent of the wayfinding system, and the specific services included (e.g., conceptualization, final design, implementation oversight). However, for a "final design and wayfinding" phase for a museum and learning center, this figure suggests a substantial and comprehensive scope of work. Agencies often benchmark such contracts internally or against publicly available data for similar institutions, but this information is not readily accessible for external analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract stem from the lack of competition. Firstly, there is a risk of paying a higher price than might have been achieved in a competitive bidding process, as the government did not benefit from multiple vendors vying for the contract. Secondly, without competitive pressure, there's a potential risk of reduced contractor urgency or innovation, although the fixed-price nature and defined deliverables mitigate this to some extent. Thirdly, the justification for the sole-source award itself could be a point of concern if it was not adequately documented or if alternative vendors could have met the requirements. Finally, the long duration of the contract introduces risks related to potential scope creep or unforeseen cost increases if not managed diligently.

How effective is the fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this project?

The fixed-price contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money by providing cost certainty to the government. The contractor, C & G Partners LLC, assumes the risk of cost overruns, incentivizing them to manage their resources efficiently to complete the project within the agreed-upon price. This shifts the financial risk from the agency to the contractor. For a project with defined deliverables like final design and wayfinding, a fixed-price contract is appropriate. However, the overall value for money is also dependent on the initial price being fair and competitive, which is a concern given the sole-source nature of this award. If the initial price was not optimized through competition, the cost certainty benefit might be offset by a higher baseline cost.

What is the historical spending pattern for graphic design services by the National Archives?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns for graphic design services by the National Archives requires access to historical contract data beyond this single award. Without a broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if this $2.19 million contract represents a significant increase or decrease in spending for such services. Typically, agencies like the National Archives would have recurring needs for design services for exhibitions, publications, and digital outreach. Understanding the frequency and average value of past contracts would provide context for this current award. A trend analysis over several fiscal years would reveal whether this is a typical investment or an outlier.

What are the implications of the contract duration (1116 days) on project oversight?

The contract duration of 1116 days (approximately three years) has significant implications for project oversight. Such a long timeframe necessitates robust project management and continuous monitoring by the National Archives. Milestones and interim deliverables must be clearly defined and tracked to ensure progress is being made and that the project remains on schedule and within scope. Regular reviews and communication channels between the agency and C & G Partners LLC are crucial to identify and address potential issues early on. The extended duration also increases the risk of scope creep or changes in agency needs, requiring a flexible yet firm approach to contract modifications and oversight to maintain accountability and ensure the final outcome aligns with the original objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Specialized Design Services › Graphic Design Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 116 E 16TH ST 10TH FL, NEW YORK, NY, 10003

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,187,611

Exercised Options: $2,187,611

Current Obligation: $2,187,611

Actual Outlays: $2,161,861

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline